It’s time to downsize and get rid of some stuff. Excessive clutter can weigh you down and have a major effect on stress levels. Clutter can be distracting, and it’s often where chaos begins. Start on a smaller scale and pick one item of furniture you dislike or clothing you haven’t worn in a while, and simply just get rid of it. Give it to friends or family as a gift or even donate it. The gratification and feeling of relief will get you in the mood to get rid of everything you don’t need.

New Coat of Paint

Ever feel like you’re living in a cave? Or that the walls are closing in on you? If returning to a home with poor natural light makes you feel wheezy, it’s time for a new coat of paint. Using fresh bright and vibrant colors to utilize natural incoming daylight is a great way to brighten up a space. Exposure to natural light in your home has been proven to enhance mood and energy by releasing endorphins into the body. Use environmentally safe paint products to reduce the level of toxins.

Install a Water Purification System

Water is the gift of life. Having freshly purified water on tap can drastically improve your quality of life. By installing a water purification system, you can remove chlorine and bacterial elements that live in your drinking water. Staying hydrated with purified water can keep the brain functioning at full capacity and give your body the healthy boost of energy it needs on a regular basis.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can have a huge impact on health and well-being. By reducing contaminants and allergens in the air within a home, you can improve your breathing and lowering your chance of allergies or illnesses. This can be achieved through quality natural ventilation and allowing more fresh air into your home.

Upgrading your home’s ventilation to an HVAC installation can also greatly improve the quality of air being supplied to your home. An HVAC system along with reduced levels of air leakage in a home can eliminate the three signs of poor air quality.

Add Some Greenery to Your Home

We’re not the only living organism that reacts to natural light. Plants, like us, respond to natural light and can improve the quality of oxygen in a space. On top of this, these little green wonders can reduce carbon dioxide and airborne dust levels. Strategically placing plants around your home along with an environmentally safe paint job or installing an energy efficient HVAC system, are all great eco-friendly upgrades to improve your quality of life at home.

By implementing these small yet effective changes, you can make your home a healthier place to live and reduce any unwanted stress in your life.

Finding ways to be more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be as involved as installing solar panels on your home or buying the latest hybrid or electric vehicle. You can do many simple things that will have a positive effect on the environment.

If you garden, put your food waste to use by starting a compost pile or bin. If you have space in your yard, designate an area where you can toss kitchen debris such as potato peels and the unused ends of cucumbers. A garbage bin can also be used for composting if yard space isn’t an option. You’ll be reducing waste while also saving money on compost and using one of the most natural methods to fertilize your garden.

Schedule an Energy Audit

Scheduling an energy audit is one of the best activities you can do to help the environment and the costs of your utility bills. An energy auditor will come to your home and determine the energy efficiency of your house. This individual will also recommend what measures you can take to improve your efficiency in a cost-effective manner. When looking for an energy auditor, be sure to find a RESNET-accredited professional.

Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse

Recycling is essential to the future health of the environment. An inordinate amount of waste is produced every day around the world, and much of it could be curtailed or eliminated if more people took the time and effort to recycle.

If your neighborhood doesn’t have a recycling program, consider finding your nearest recycling center and make a habit of dropping off your recyclable items on a weekly or monthly basis. You can also find ways to reuse items you may otherwise throw away, such as glass jars and plastic containers.

Watch Your Water Usage

Think about all the ways you use water throughout the day, and you’ll quickly realize that you can find many ways to cut down on your water consumption.

You can cut down on water use by waiting until your laundry and dishwashing machines are full before running them and turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth. You can also take showers as quickly as possible and take showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires far more gallons of water than a shower.

Schedule Regular Maintenance for Your HVAC System

Heating and cooling your home, particularly during the coldest and warmest months of the year, can drive up your electricity bill and have a negative impact on the environment. Scheduling regular HVAC system maintenance will ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible. Your HVAC services technician will be able to recommend the most energy- and cost-efficient systems when and if you need a new HVAC system for your home.

The Future Is Green

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. On the contrary, many of the steps you can take to be as kind as possible to the environment are not only free but can also save you money in the long run.